New Ulm weekly review., 1887-03-09
turned up the glimmering lamp.
Again came the sound slight but dis


tinct, scratch, scratch-f1e, file.
Maud, what is that noise?" said
Mrs. Estabrooke, with the calmness
OF despair. Maud declined to commit
herself prematurely.
Maud, " said her mother again,
''it,s down at the piazza window. It's
Its a :n.itederate of that man in
there! @, don't tell me! know!"
Maud frowned thoughtfully. Her
mothers idea was only too plausibls.
Hell get in and let the other
one OUT" pursued Mrs. Estabrooke,
breathlesslv; "and then go through
the house, and rob and murder us
all. 0 dear! Oh-hp'
Don't mamma dear! pray don't!"
entreated Maud, as the poor lady,
overwhelmed by her own picture,
showed signs OF becoming hysterical,
aud uttered several small screams.
Upon this, the occupant of the next
room, who hitherto had given no sign
o. life, began to knock on the door be-
tween the two chambers. Maud drew
near, and the following conversation
took place:
"Miss Estabrook!"
eyes"
Excuse me, but is anything wrong?"
Maud hesitated. Mrs. Estabrook
meantime had checked herself and was
holding her breath to listen. Recelv.
ing no answer he presently spoke
again.
"What is that noise I hear down
stairs?"
"We don't know" said Mand; "but
"But what? Is that what is alarm
ing your
Maud considered. "We are afraid
it is IA burglar"
"What! Another?" exclaimed the
stranger. Then he checked himself.
'DOn't you think you'd better send
me to dispose of him?" he suggested,
with an admirable assumption of the
boldness of innocence.
Maud" sharply protested Mrs.
Estabrook
Zone moment mamma" rejoined
her daughter. II am not sure.'' She
turned to the door again. "You'are
quite certain he is not an-an-an-
assistant OF yours?" she asked, in the
politest terms she could select.
"Let me out, and you shall sec. Up
on my honor" Here the words were
lost in a stifed sound.
'Is the man laughing?" demanded
Mrs. Estabrook, in angry amaze;
then, as a new suspicion entered her
mind. "Maud, do you believe he is
exactly in his right mind?"
II don't think he can be-" Maud an
swered, doubtfully; but seeing her
mothers growing alarm she hastened
to add, "but we evidently have a GER
tain control over him, and-really
mamma. don't know but it would
be better to let him drive the other
away. No, but hear me out. They
can't be accomplices, and il we must
be IN the power of either, why, would
| much sooner trust this one. He is far
superior to ordinary burglars" con-
cluded Maud, with a fine air of
| connoisseurship in this particular
branch of the dangerous classes.
Her opinion. as usual, prevailed,
and their prisoner was informed that
| If he would not move until given
time he should be released. AS he
readily agreed to the conditions, the
girl stole out into the passage. turned
the key very softly, and then flew back
into her own room, which she
locked in hot haste Here she knocked
on the inner door,and at the appoint
ed sign heard the young man dash
through the corridor and down stairs.
There was a sound of rattling glass,
an alteration of voices, a. pistol shot,
and then a brief period of suspense,
during which the hearts of the two
women stood still. Then steps re-
turned along the passage, crossed
through the next room, and stopped
| beside the door of communication,
where a rap resounded.
"Miss Estabrooke, I have come
back" said a quiet voice.
"And the-the-man?" asked Maud,
breathless.
40, fancy he'll give you no more
trouble. Judging from the groan
heard as he beat a retreat,
he won't feel IN SPIRITS for any
more of this business tonight.
"We-we are very much Obliged to
you," stammered Maud, rather at a
loss what to say under the circum.
stances.
NV e1O dAI. ~ WdS d pledSur0 10 me.
He was infringing on my rights you
know"
Silence followed, broken by another
rap. "Miss Estabrook, am waiting
to be locked in again"
.'Do you really mean" began
Maud.
Certainly, I must insist, if you
please. I'll stay here until you give
me the word"
"Be quick, Maud" whispered Mrs.
Estabrook, very distrustful Of this
extraordinary burglar. .'The man is
either criminal or lunatic. Run
and turn the key child before he
changes his mind
Thus urged, the girl made another
sorsie. Once more the key clicked in
the lock, their prisoner was heard to
cross the floor and then all was silence
again.
Not for 1opp houo1,or C,,l1oo1-